Type-bar



(No Model.)

0. MERGENTHALER.

TYPE BAR.

No. 393,846. Patented Dec. 4,1888.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

OTTMAR MERGENTHALER, OF BALTIMORE, MARYLAND, ASSIGNOR TO THE, NATIONAL TYPOGRAPHIC COMPANY, OF lVEST VIRGINIA.

TYPE-BAR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 393,846, dated December 4, 1888.

Application filed January 19, 1888. Serial No. 261,209. (No model.)

To aZZ whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, OTTMAR MERGENTHA- LER, of the city of Baltimore,and State of Maryland, have invented certain Improvements in Type-Bars, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to that class of typebars or printing-bars which are now known in the art as linotypes,, each bar being f armed at one edge with a series of characters in relief, usually with all the characters or type necessary to print an entire line.

The aim of my invention is to provide for the spacing out or leading beween lines, and at the same time to avoid the necessity of unduly increasing the thickness and weight of the linotypes; and to this end it consists in providing the linotype with two or more ribs or projections on its side face, or on both faces, if desired.

In the accompanying drawings,Figure 1 represents a linotype in the form in which it is commonly constructed. Fig. 2 is a top plan view showing a series of thelinotypes arranged side by side, and illustrating the manner in which the spacing is effected by the ribs. 3 is a base view of a linotype provided with ribs on both faces. Figs. 4 and 5 are perspective views illustrating other forms in which the projections may be made by a suitablyconstructed mold.

Referring to Fig. 1,A represents a linotype consisting of a bar having on one edge the letters or characters a. This linotype is in all respects identical with those in common use, except that it is provided on one side with the vertical ribs b. The body portion of the linotype is made only of such Width or thickness as is necessary to support the characters on its edge. hen a series of linotypes thus constructed are assembled side by side in a form, the ribs keep them separate and produce the same result as would be secured by introducing leads between the linotypes or by increasing the thickness of their bodies.

In Fig. 3 the linotype is shown with ribs similar to those in Fig. 1 on both faces. In Fig. 4 the ribs extend longitudinally of the linotype. In Fig. 5 the projections are in the form of studs instead of ribs.

The only essential requirement is that the body of the linotype shall have projections of a character adapted to keep it separated from the adjacent linotype.

The employment of the ribs or projections is advantageous in that it reduces the quantity of metal required, lessens the weight of the form, and admits of the top being cast in one mold and varied as to the extent of their leading by dressing away the ribs more or less, as circumstancesunay require. As rcgards the application of the spacing-ribs, it is manifest that they maybe applied in like manner and with equal facility to long and short linotypesin other words, to type-bars having a very small or a great number of characters.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is-- 1. Linotypes provided on their side faces with ribs or projections for the purpose of spacing or leading the lines.

2. The linotype herein described, having on its side face two or more ribs extending from top to bottom.

In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand, this 3d day of January, 1888, in the presence of two attesting witnesses.

OTTMAR MERGENTHALER.

\Vitn esses:

ARTIS H. EHRMAN, HARRY T. LELAND. 

